New Stormers captain Siya Kolisi is “honoured” to follow in the footsteps of some of the “great players” who have led the team.
In a victory for transformation, Kolisi, 25, yesterday became the first black African to be named Stormers skipper. Lock Eben Etzebeth will be his vice-captain.
Two Stormers legends who Kolisi will emulate are Corné Krige and Bob Skinstad, both former Springbok captains and, like Kolisi, loose forwards.
“There have been some great players who have led the Stormers out at Newlands, so for me to be amongst them is both a great privilege and a great responsibility,” said Kolisi, who has won 76 caps for the Stormers since making his debut in 2012.
“With the support of Eben and the rest of the senior players in the squad, I am confident that we can create something special that our fans can be proud of.”
Kolisi and Etzebeth have come a long way together; they first joined the Western Province Rugby Institute in 2010, along with teammates Frans Malherbe, Nizaam Carr and Scarra Ntubeni.
Etzebeth said that having played alongside Kolisi in a Stormers jersey for five seasons, he is looking forward to the new challenge that awaits them. “I am honoured to stand beside him as we look to take the Stormers to the next level,” he said.
The Stormers will start their 2017 Super Rugby campaign against rivals the Bulls at Newlands on Saturday.